Rangers Youth Academy adds to growing list of college commits

Since last November, the Texas Rangers Youth Academy has seen another dozen athletes in the classes of 2024 and 2025 commit to playing baseball and softball at the collegiate level.

While seniors continue to sign their National Letters of Intent, younger players are starting to make their college decisions, and commitments are beginning to come in.

The latest additions to the Youth Academy’s list of 110-plus athletes who committed to playing at the collegiate level since the Youth Academy first opened in December 2017 include:

Jacob Ayala – Dallas College Brookhaven

A right-handed pitcher from South Grand Prairie High School, Jacob Ayala will continue his education and playing career at Dallas College Brookhaven. As one of the top pitchers at the Youth Academy, and in the state of Texas, Ayala has been a regular selection for All-Star and Five Tool Tournament teams as a reliable arm and infielder.

Annalise Barron – Ranger College

North Forney High School senior Annalise Barron will join the Ranger College softball team as an outfielder and left-handed pitcher this fall. Barron was a member of the 2023 Jennie Finch Classic All-Star team, and played in back-to-back Cat Osterman Softball Academy Winter Invitationals, including 2024 when the Rangers Youth Academy captured the championship title.

Victor Camarillo – Navarro Junior College

MacArthur High School’s Victor Camarillo will continue his education and playing career at Navarro Junior College this fall. The infielder and right-handed pitcher was a key member of the Nike RBI Viking’s championship-winning seasons in 2021 and 2022.

Austin Phillips – University of Texas at Arlington

South Grand Prairie infielder and one of the longest-tenured Youth Academy participants, Austin Phillips, will continue to develop his baseball talent at the University of Texas at Arlington. In Phillips, the UTA Mavericks will get a four-time Rangers Nike RBI All-Star whose skills were fine-tuned through a handful of invitation-only MLB Develops events, including three appearances each at the Breakthrough Series and Hank Aaron Invitational.

Caleb Richardson – Texas College

Dual-threat infielder/outfielder Caleb Richardson will take his talents to Texas College this fall. As a Carter High School student-athlete, he’s played in two Texas Rangers Youth Academy Black History Month Jamborees in addition to two Negro Leagues Invitational appearances and one Nike RBI Southwest Regional Tournament.

Nathan Robles – Southern Arkansas University Tech

Nathan Robles, a Jesuit High School senior, has proven his dedication to the game as a regular participant in year-round baseball training, and serves as a reliable first baseman and right-handed pitcher in the Rangers Nike RBI League. Robles will join the Rockets at Southern Arkansas University Tech this fall.

Savannah Robles – McPherson College

Outfielder Savannah Robles will take her talents to McPherson College upon graduation from Irving Nimitz High School. Robles was a member of the Rangers Youth Academy’s 2023 Jennie Finch Classic All-Star team and was a top defensive player with multiple outfield assists at the 2024 Cat Osterman Softball Academy Winter Invitational, playing a key role in the Rangers Youth Academy’s championship-winning performance.

Vicente Rosas – Navarro Junior College

One of Duncanville High School's top pitchers, Vicente Rosas will continue his education and playing career at Navarro Junior College. Rosas is a two-time Commissioner’s Cup All-Star for the Rangers Youth Academy and played a key role in the 2023 team’s road to a runner-up finish after he struck out the side to secure a major pool play win over the Compton Youth Academy.

Josiah Smith – Morehouse College

Josiah Smith will take his talents as a catcher and infielder to Atlanta this fall where he’ll continue his education and playing career at Morehouse College. The Carter High School senior has represented the Carter Cowboys in two of the Youth Academy’s Black History Month Jamborees and was a member of the 2023 Negro Leagues Invitational team that traveled to Kansas City.

Esteban Toscano – Pratt Community College

Two-time Commissioner’s Cup All-Star and North Dallas High School senior Esteban Toscano will continue his education and playing career at Pratt Community College. Toscano will be a strong addition to the squad as a true utility player with the ability to play plus defense at any position.

Destan Burks (Class of 2025) – New Mexico State University

Red Oak High School junior and Youth Academy infielder Destan Burks announced her commitment to further her education and playing career at New Mexico State University. During her time at the Academy, Burks has played in two Cat Osterman Softball Academy Winter Invitationals, including the 2024 championship-winning appearance, two Nike RBI Southwest Regional Tournaments and attended a pair of MLB Develops Elite Development Invitationals and the 2023 Breakthrough Series.

Shantia Haymer (Class of 2025) – Claflin University

Class of 2025 pitcher at Irving High School, Shantia Haymer, announced her commitment to continue her softball career and education at Claflin University in Orangeburg, S.C. Haymer has been a key player on two Cat Osterman Softball Academy Winter Invitational teams, including the 2024 championship team, traveled to Kansas City twice as part of the Negro Leagues Invitational and played on the 2023 Jennie Finch Classic All-Star squad.